Round and Round
Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto..that's it really.
The other masked dancers spun and twirled, making a grotesque picture in the dim fire light as she watched from the second story. Some were people she knew; Sasuke with his blue lizard mask, and Naruto in his fox mask. The majestic thirteen had arrived at the ball, with most of Konoha.
Naruto seemed to have Hinata in his possession, her graceful footsteps countering his clumsy ones. Lee's green tuxedo and turtle mask was sending Ino, in the swan mask, in a romantic goodbye just to pull her back again.
Even Gai-sensei had managed to snag a dancer, his elite jonin mask used with a tuxedo similar to Lee's. Sakura in her cat mask, could only watch on as she waited for her sensei. Neji strolled over next to Sakura and leaned against the rail.
"He's not coming, you know."
The cat glared at the hawk, and replied, "How do you know? Kakashi-Sensei is known for his lateness, so I'll give him some more time."
The hawk cocked his head and said, " Three hours isn't late??"
Sakura simply sighed, and Neji went down to join the others on the floor. He hadn't been the only one concerned. Tenten offered to keep her company, Naruto and Chouji offered to dance, and Shikamaru distracted her with conversation. Sakura left the dance on hour later, not quite finding what she was looking in the dance hall.
Taking a walk around the village, she spied a shadowy figure standing by the memorial stone. Not feeling ill intent, she wandered over and stood next to figure. The dog, after realizing the girl was near, said, "I was going to come."
The cat stated the obvious. "If you were expecting your friend, I don't think he'll be showing up for the dance either."
Kakashi, who'd been quiet, replied, "I didn't know he'd wanted to come."
Sakura, undisturbed, commented on the events of the dance, and who she felt were the best pairs. Kakashi ideally listened to the girl rattle on before he decided his friend wouldn't mind if he left with a goodbye.
"Naruto still seemed to aim for Hinata's feet, much to the dismay of her father, but she refused to- Sensei?!"
Kakashi, with one hand on her ribs, slipped his dog mask on his face and slipped hers back over her head. Taking Sakura's left hand and swinging to the left, he said, " My friend will find a girl to dance with. For now, he'll simply have to wait for ours to end."
The cat, blushing profusely behind her mask, followed her dance partner to music only the two could hear; round and round the memorial stone.
Author's note:
These stories are in no particular order, and is generally AU with smaller details. A dance is one of these smaller details. Another drabble to the mix.
